A host of mythological creatures occur in the mythologies from the Philippines. Philippine mythological creatures are the legendary beasts, monsters, and supernatural beings found in the folklore of more than 140 ethnic groups in the Philippines. Each ethnic people has their own unique set of belief systems, which includes the belief in various mythological creatures. The list does not include figures such as gods, goddesses, deities, and heroes; for these, see List of Philippine mythological figures.
General terms Some mythological beings are known not only by their individual names but also by general terms that encompass groups of creatures with similar characteristics. Examples of these terms include:
Aswang: bracket term for shape-shifting creatures that have a variety of forms, such as the blood-sucking vampire, the self-segmenting viscera sucker, the man-eating weredog, the malevolent or evil-eye witch, and the carrion-eating ghoul.The Aswang Complex in Philippine Folklore, Maximo Ramos, 1990, Phoenix Publishing Duwende: bracket term for small magical beings of the land. Engkanto: bracket term for highly-attractive enchanted human-like environmental beings, usually giving off the scent of flowers and having no philthrum. Higante: bracket term for giant humanoid land creatures. Lamang lupa: bracket term for environmental spirits, which literally means 'inhabiting the bowels of the earth'. Some are considered minor deities who dwell underground. These spirits are generally harmless unless disturbed or their homes are destroyed. They must be treated with respect. For example, people often say "Tabi-tabi po" when passing by mounds believed to be their dwellings, as a sign of respect. Offerings are also made to them during planting and harvest seasons to ensure they do not interfere with the crops. Sirena: bracket term for water creatures with a humanoid upper body and the body of a fish from the waist down, similar to merfolk.Philippine Demonological Legends and Their Cultural Bearings, Maximo Ramos, Phoenix Publishing 1990
Most creatures originated from Philippine mythology, however, are not under any specific bracket term.
Creatures of the soil
Anito – Ancestral spirits, evil spirits and souls of the dead Abyan – Albino-like spirit beings and spirit companions Agta – a different name for kapre Alan – deformed, winged spirits with fingers and toes that points backwards Amalanhig – failed aswangs who emerge from their graves to kill via neck bite Amomongo – a man-sized ape with long nails Anggitay – female beings like centaurs, the counterpart of a tikbalang Santelmo – Saint Elmo's fire Banwaanon – Banwaanon are a type of engkanto, elves and fairies from Cebuano folklore. The word banwaanon means “of the jungle” in Cebuano. are believed to live deep in the woods. Bal-Bal – an undead monster that devours on corpses Batibat – demons in the form of obese hags Berbalang – ghouls Bungisngis – one-eyed giant, purported to dwell in Meluz, Orion, Bataan, and Cebu; described as always laughing. Bulul – are ancestor spirits and the carvings that house them. These figures are traditionally kept in granaries to secure a good harvest. small rice-protecting spirits Busaw – cannibalistic creatures who resemble humans Buso – demons or evil spirits in Bagobo folklore. They prey on humans, spreading disease and death. To placate them, people offer shrines and sacrifices. Dalaketnon – evil engkanto elf-like beings. Males possess pale skin and extremely dark hair, while females boast bronzed skin and dark brown hair. In traditional narratives, they are often portrayed as malevolent figures, enticing and abducting unsuspecting individuals. Diwata: (from Sanskrit devata, "gods"), engkantada (from Spanish encantada, "enchantress, charmed") or engkanto (from Spanish encanto, "spell, incantation, charm") are gods and goddesses below the supreme deity or deities; some are similar to dryads who guard natural creations such as forests, seas, mountains, land and airTagalog-English Dictionary by Leo James English, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Manila, distributed by National Book Store, 1583 pages, ISBN 971-91055-0-X; fair-skinned, good-looking and, sometimes, blonde-haired. reside in large trees, such as acacia and balete, and tend to be resentful of humanity's intrusion into their realm Dogong – a gigantic creature that looks like a mermaid with a human head and body of a sea cow, but much larger. It lives on the coast of Iloilo. It guards a large sacred bivalve (taklobo) with a shining pearl that night mariners mistake for a lighthouse. Dwende – goblins, hobgoblins, elves or dwarfs (Spanish: duende "little creatures who provide good fortune or foretell an ominous fate to people. goblin, elf, charm"; from "duen de (casa)", owner of the house); there are two types of Dwende: the white and black. White Dwende represents a good motive and the black is bad motive.Tagalog-English Dictionary by Leo James English, Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Manila, distributed by National Book Store, 1583 pages, Gisurab (Isneg) – a fire-possessing giant. Inlabbuut (Ifugao) – a monster that can shapeshift into a handsome youth to trick people. Intumbangel – two intertwined male and female snakes who cause earthquakes when they move, winds when they breathe, and violent storms when they pant in Bukidnon myths. A similar creature is present in Manobo beliefs, but the Manobo snake is said to "guard" the pillar supporting the world. Kalapao and Berberoca (Isneg) – giants who can change size at will and can be slain through mortal means. Kaunting (Tboli) – a magical horse who can be as small as a mouse when not ridden and who can be kept in a box. He was owned by Cumucul, the eldest son of the supreme couple deities, Kedaw La Sambad and Bulon La Mogoaw. Kapre – muscular tree giants described as being tall (7 to 9 ft), big, black, terrifying, and hairy Kasili – a fish-like snake who wraps itself around the world; Eugpamolak Manobo called Manama and Kalayagan the supreme deity of the Bagobo people. He gave life to Kasili during the world's creation. Kayumang (Bagobo) – a giant crab that sometimes bites the giant eel, Kasili, causing Kasili to wriggle and produce earthquakes. A similar crab named Kagang performs the same to a different earthquake-producing eel. Lakivot – a huge talking civet who can carry a person on his back. It defeated the one-eyed ogassi monsters and the garden-protecting busaw while searching for the "flower of gold". It transformed into a handsome young man upon the shaving of his civet eyebrow. Lobo (Ilokano) – a large dog that guards the entrance to the underworld. Its indigenous name was lost due to Spanish colonization. Mangalo – malevolent goblins or dwarves that the deaths of young individuals from disease are caused by. According to their lore, these beings consume the bowels of their victims, leading to their demise. This belief reflects the absence of knowledge about the scientific causes of disease, such as the corruption of bodily humors or infections. Mambabarang – witches who utilize insects to do their bidding Mangkukulam – bruha (from Spanish , "witch") are witches, wizards, bruho (Spanish , "wizard, male witch"), or sorcerers who cast evil spells to humans; also called manggagaway Multo – term used to describe the spirit of a dead person or animal that visually appears in the lives of people that are still alive. Nuno sa punso – (literally, goblin of the mound) goblins or elves who live within mysterious lumps of soil (ant hills); provide a person who steps on their shelter with good luck or misfortune Patakoda – a gigantic stallion that used to appear at the Pulangi River. Its appearance brought misfortune and calamities upon the local people. Oryol (Bicolano) – a demigod naga, daughter of the evil god Asuang. She fought the hero Handyong in an epic war, which ended with the two becoming lovers due to mutual respect for each other's capabilities. She aided Handyong in defeating a race of wicked giant crocodiles that plagued ancient Ibalon. Pangantucan stallion – a wise white horse who saved the domain of Pangantucan from a massacre by uprooting a bamboo and alerting the tribesmen of the enemy's approach. Panigotlo – a loyal deer-like messenger and pet of the Aklanon supreme god Gamhanan. It alerted the people about an incoming disaster or a prosperous future. It was killed by a hunter named Dagasanan. Pilandok – a mischievous, cunning, and trickster human-standing chevrotain in Molbog beliefs, who is sometimes helpful. The Maranao Pilandok was a human who was a cunning and mischievous trickster. Pugot – a shapeshifting fiend whose true shape is that of a gigantic black headless creature Rabot – a ferocious, half-human half-monster that could turn people into rock. He was slain by the Bicolano epic hero Bantong using his bolo. Sarangay – a creature like a minotaur with jewels attached to its ears Sawa (Tagalog, Ati) – a huge serpent monster. Attempts to swallow the moon. Sibbaranguyan – a kind giantess who sheltered, fed, and aided a lost Isnag man. She hid the man from her husband who she thought might eat him. She afterwards directed the man to his home. Sigbin – a goat with very large ears, a long whip-like tail that emits a foul stench and two grasshopper-like legs on its neck that enable it to jump far distances. It is also known to crabwalk backward. They wander around at night in search of children to devour but they keep the hearts to make amulets. Sulod (Sulodnon) – an earthworm caught by the primordial giant Bayi. The earthworm excreted the earth. Tandayag (Batak) – a huge being. Accounts say that the Tandayag is a whale, a giant fish, or a dragon that closes the navel of the world called Burungan. If Burungan is left open and Tandayag is not appeased, the whole universe will be washed away by a furious rush of water, unless a shaman makes a spiritual journey to Burungan to close the navel with the aid of a spirit guide in the form of a sea turtle. Mahomanay – elf-like Male creatures with pointy ears that are otherworldly handsome with very fair skin and long black hair. Abducts women they fancy and takes her to their world. The female counterpart of the Mahomanay is the red skinned females called Tamalanhig. Makarallig (Manobo) – a giant monster created by the evil god Ogassi (not the ogassi race from Bagobo beliefs). It is virtually invulnerable and its heart is made of stone. Its body became a mass of leeches after being defeated by Batooy. Child of Makarallig – the stone child of Makarallig in the form of a human; said to be fastened on a cliff of the Pulangi River. Nurtured by Busaw. If released, the child is said to take on the mantle of his father and destroy all the people. Tarabusaw (Maguindanaoan) – a huge centaur-like monster who terrorized and ruled the people of mainland Mindanao. He was killed by epic hero Skander. It lived in Mount Matutum. Tikbalang – lurk in the mountains and forests; a tall, bony humanoid creature with the head and hooves of a horse and disproportionately long limbs, to the point that its knees reach above its head when it squats down Tamawo – malevolent elf-like entity with striking albino features, including very pale to white skin that glimmers in direct sunlight, light-colored hair, and fangs. Unusual physical attributes may include pointy, leaf-shaped ears, high-bridged noses, fair skin, and a lack of a philtrum. Typically dwelling near the sea or bodies of water, Tamawo are often associated with stories revolving around the abduction of young women. Tamalanhig – elf-like Female beings with beautiful long black hair and reddish skin and pointy leaf shaped ears. They are the Female counterpart of the pale Mahomanay. Tiyanak – un-baptized newborn baby that tricks and preys on people that are usually lost in the woods.